For the second straight year, and the third time in school history, the Seminole Ridge High School boys varsity volleyball team is headed to the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 3A state finals.
The state finals will be held at the Winter Haven Health Center on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17. The Hawks booked their trip to Winter Haven on Tuesday, May 13, when they defeated Boca Raton High School in the regional final. Seminole Ridge won in four sets, 25-21, 20-25, 25-19 and 25-8.
It was Seminole Ridge’s seventh straight victory and its second triumph this season against Boca Raton. Now, the Hawks (23-6) will play their state semifinal on Friday, May 16. In Winter Haven, their opponent will be either Winter Park High School, Southwest Miami High School or Timber Creek High School, which are the three other Class 3A regional champions. Both semifinal matches will start at 7 p.m. If they win, the Hawks will play the winner of the other semifinal for the state championship on Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m.
According to Seminole Ridge head coach Scott Barnwell, his team is inspired to play well because the boys on the team simply don’t want to lose.
“We have really come together as a team, and after our last loss, the boys decided they didn’t want to have that bad feeling again,” Barnwell said. “They have worked extra hard and practiced longer to try and make it back to states.”
Barnwell feels that senior outside hitter Addison Corey is the team’s catalyst, as his attitude and competitive mindset have inspired his teammates.
“Addison has truly taken the helm of the leader of this team,” said Barnwell, who is a dean of students at Seminole Ridge. “His heart is truly all in for this team, and he is the heart-and-soul of it.”
The Seminole Ridge boys varsity volleyball team has won one FHSAA state championship. That was back in 2011.
